Jo Ann Jarrett, 89, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, December 08, 2017, at her home in Russell.

Jo Ann was born on July 10, 1928, in southern Cherokee County in Columbus, Kansas, the daughter of Russell Scott and Mildred Faye Jarrett.  She grew up in Columbus, Kansas, attended Frontier Grade School and graduated from Cherokee County High School in the class of 1946.  After high school she attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor in Elementary Education.  She received her master's degree in science from Pittsburg State Teachers College of Pittsburg, Kansas.  She accepted her first teaching job with USD 407 in Russell, Kansas, working as an elementary teacher.  She was awarded Teacher Of The Year in 1988.  She continued working with USD 407 for her entire teaching career until her retirement in 1993.   She loved working with the children of the Russell community.  She enjoyed it so much that she continued mentoring and  working with the Russell schools and teachers even after retiring from teaching.  Her experience and knowledge working with children was a valuable resource to the school system and community.  She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Russell.  She also worked with the Fullbright Exchange and granted positions in Ontario, Canada and Northern Ireland.  She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and enjoyed the many sorority trips that took her across the country.  She enjoyed embroidery,  sewing, piecing quilts, traveling and spending time with her family.  She also truly cherished her friendship and care she received from the Oste Family.

Surviving family include her nephew Michael Jarrett (Teresa) of Arlington, Texas; nieces Mary C. Mervyn of Norman, Oklahoma, Barbara Williams of Ft. Worth, Texas and Mary E. Nielsen of Lorton, Virginia and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step mother Louise Stockton Jarrett;  brother Donald Lee Jarrett and sister Mary L. Nielsen.

A memorial service to celebrate Jo Ann's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 19, 2018,  at the First Congregational Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  Cremation has been selected by the family.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the mortuary in Russell, with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening. 
A graveside inurnment of the ashes will take place at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Kansas.  Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church of Russell and sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, and Bath-Naylor of Pittsburg, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.